About Tandem Friends School

Tandem Friends School offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum in an environment built on Quaker values. We are a coeducational day school serving students in grades 5 through 12. Our students receive an education in which intellectual, ethical, artistic, and athletic ideals are pursued. We foster capable students who: value a spiritual, egalitarian, kind, and creative community; thrive on independent, imaginative thought; are fully engaged in learning; and, seek the best from themselves and their community.

Academics

Learning is a cooperative venture at Tandem Friends; the intellectual curiosity of students is paired with an academically distinguished faculty. Our strong college preparatory curriculum meets or exceeds admission requirements of all major institutions of higher learning. But there is a difference. Learning at Tandem Friends is a dynamic process of questioning and dialogue. Teachers invite a sense of authorship in their students. Classroom discussions encourage active thinking, listening, and articulation. Teachers constantly challenge students to realize their intellectual potential.

Athletics at Tandem Friends

Tandem Friends School encourages students in grades five through twelve to participate in interscholastic sports regardless of their previous experience or attained skill level. Our no-cut sports policy allows students to try new sports, or play multiple sports during the year.

Arts at Tandem Friends

Tandem Friends has a long tradition of commitment to and accomplishment in the arts. All students are encouraged to develop and explore their unique potential in all aspects of the creative arts. In the Middle School, fifth through eighth graders take one semester of drama and one semester of art each year. Fifth and sixth graders take a music class; there is an eighth grade rock band. In the Upper School, arts electives abound in digital film, visual arts, drama, and music. Upper School drama productions (three a year) rehearse after school.

Student Life

Every school offers academic classes, dedicated teachers, classrooms and computers, sports fields, gyms and locker rooms. Tandem Friends is no different. What sets us apart is the amazing sense of community that exists between faculty and students, faculty and parents, faculty coworkers, the school and the many organizations our community service projects touch. You can feel it the minute you set foot on campus - a sense of caring kindness and connections to one another.

Support Tandem Friends

Since 1970, Tandem Friends School has educated the young people of the Charlottesville area to truly "let their lives speak." And, just as we teach our students to value mankind and all that each of us has to offer, we ask you to express your support for the teaching and learning that happens here daily through the generous gifts you give.

Volunteering at Tandem Friends

As one of our core Quaker values, volunteering has a rich tradition at Tandem Friends. Not only students but parents, alumni, and the rest of the Tandem family are encouraged to participate in service. Through parent, grandparent, and alumni involvement, the school fosters a sense of community, supports the health of the school, and shows our students the depth of our commitment to their development into caring, productive, and responsible adults.

What You Can Do

Whether your volunteer interest is helping in a classroom, planning an event, being a Campaign volunteer, working in the library, or making a presentation to students about your life experiences, there is a place for your gifts of time and energy.

All parents are encouraged to become active members of the Parent Teacher Association, which supports the school in countless ways. The Parent Teacher Association is devoted to promoting family involvement in the life of the school and to fostering close working relationships between parents and teachers. At the beginning of each school year, information is provided on how to become involved.

For more information on the Parent Teacher Association and volunteer opportunities, contact the PTA at pta@tandemfs.org.

Contact the Development Office at 434-951-9304 if you are interested in helping with specific Development activities.

Parent Volunteers at Blue Ridge Day

Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.